Delay in issuing London to Dublin Sail & Rail tickets is causing extra costs to consumers and climate

(Tuesday 4th June, 2024) Opportunity Green, along with Campaign for Better Transport, Transport & Environment, Aviation Environment Federation and Transport Action Network, are calling on train and ferry companies to restore the Sail & Rail service to its former glory. The organisations have written an open letter to ask Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, Irish Ferries and Stena Line to work together to resolve this urgent issue. They have also sent a copy to the Irish government and the UK Department of Transport to draw attention to this issue and encourage them to use this opportunity to call for effective climate action in cross-border transport.

Over the past four years, the sale of these tickets has become increasingly restricted, making it harder for people to take this easy journey between Ireland and the UK that would reduce their travel emissions by avoiding travelling by plane.

Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change and is currently the most carbon-intensive activity an individual can do. Emissions from a flight from London to Dublin are 174.8 Kg CO2 – by comparison, Sail & Rail emissions are at least 73% less – and this doesn’t even consider the non-CO2 impacts of aviation, which can double the climate impact.

Currently the combined “Sail & Rail” tickets go on sale only five weeks before you can travel. Meanwhile, the ferry tickets are released more than six months in advance and the train at least three months in advance. For the Sail & Rail tickets, any dates more than five weeks away display “no fares available”, with no indication that those fares will be released at a later date. Conversely, when booking a Sail & Rail journey the other way around – from Dublin to London – this can be done months in advance.

The travel route between Ireland and Britain is hugely popular. In terms of air travel demand, Ireland and the United Kingdom consistently place on the list of top 20 country pairs for international travel by seat numbers. Booking the two tickets separately makes it significantly more expensive for consumers, and more likely that people will choose to fly over taking the train/ferry, resulting in a substantial cost to consumers’ pockets and to the environment.

Aoife O’Leary, Founder & CEO of Opportunity Green says:

“Providing effective Sail & Rail alternatives to air travel is a great way to reduce aviation demand and bring about immediate emissions reductions. Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, Irish Ferries and Stena Line could enable many more people to travel more sustainably by simply working together to release Sail & Rail tickets as soon as the relevant train tickets become available. We know that consumers are increasingly considering their climate impact when they choose to fly and this small change in ticket release will enable even more people to choose the more climate-friendly option of travel.”

Michael Solomon Williams of Campaign for Better Transport says:

“Restoring Sail & Rail tickets would encourage more people to choose the train when travelling from the UK to Ireland, helping to reduce the number of short-haul flights. Sail & Rail tickets would provide a seamless and stress-free experience for passengers as well as helping reduce carbon emissions from aviation. The UK and Irish Governments should work with the rail and ferry industry to restore Sail & Rail tickets as soon as possible.”

Jonathan Hood, UK Sustainable Shipping Manager at Transport & Environment says:

“To reach net zero, shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions must be eliminated. T&E welcomes a future where exciting maritime technologies like battery-electric vessels and hydrogen-based fuels thrive. As a result, the climate impact of both Sail and Rail as a means of travel will become progressively smaller and will support flourishing industries in the UK like zero-emission fuel production and technologies of the future. Sail and Rail must be restored and lauded for the positive climate action it is.”

Chris Todd of Transport Action Network says:

“We need to make it as easy as possible for people to choose Sail and Rail. Domestic transport is responsible for around a third of all carbon emissions and urgent action is needed to reduce these. All too often, we are making things worse and this is a glaring example of where simple reforms could make a huge difference to how people travel. Things need to change and change soon.” 

ENDS

Media contacts

Hannah Jolliffe

Communications Manager, Opportunity Green
hannah@opportunitygreen.org

Notes to editors

• Read the full letter sent to Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, Irish Ferries and Stena Line and to the Irish government and the UK Department of Transport.

• According to the UK Climate Change Committee’s Sixth Carbon Budget, aviation emissions accounted for 7% of the UK’s total GHG emissions in 2018, a shocking 124% above 1990 levels, with demand levels only increasing. Aviation is on track to make up more than half of the UK’s 1.5°C carbon budget by 2050. 

• In 2022 there were between 117 – 153 flights a day between the UK and Ireland, and by now it’s likely to be back already well on its way to the pre-pandemic 1,044 flights a week.

• As an example, prior to 2020 when the train fares were released for the London to Holyhead route, the Sail & Rail tickets were also released at the same time. This year, as of 10th April 2024, train tickets are bookable from London to Holyhead for any date up to the 2nd of July 2024. Separately, ferry tickets are bookable from Holyhead to Dublin for dates well beyond even 2nd July. However, a Sail & Rail ticket from London to Dublin can only be booked up to 22nd May 2024. Any dates after this display “no fares available” with no indication that those fares will be released at a later date.

About Opportunity Green

Opportunity Green is an NGO working to unlock the opportunities from tackling climate change using law, economics, and policy. We do this by amplifying diverse voices, forging ambitious collaborations and using legal innovation to motivate decision makers and achieve climate justice, with particular emphasis on the aviation and shipping industries.

About Campaign for Better Transport

Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport's vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).

About Transport & Environment

Transport & Environment UK is the UK national office for Europe’s leading advocates for clean transport and energy, Transport & Environment, who strive for a zero-emission mobility system that is affordable and has minimal impacts on our health, climate and environment.

About Transport Action Network

Transport Action Network supports local communities keen to promote sustainable transport, or oppose cuts to bus and rail services and active travel, damaging road schemes and large unsustainable developments.

About Aviation Environment Federation

Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) is a UK-based NGO campaigning on aviation's impacts for people and the environment. AEF's aim is to protect the environment, public health and quality of life through securing policies and measures that ensure effective limits on noise, emissions and other environmental impacts from the aviation sector.